Amari Williams has been Kentucky's secret sauce against Tennessee

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Amari Williams is honored on Senior Night at Rupp Arena - Photo by Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Landing Drexel transfer Amari Williams was a big get for the Mark Pope and his new Kentucky staff out of the portal last year. The England native is 7-foot and 260-plus pounds with a unique game. Williams was the CAA Defensive Player of the Year three times. The transfer brought 1,081 points, 732 rebounds, and 186 blocks with him to Lexington.

Kentucky always needed Williams to be a key piece. It’s fair to say that the fifth-year senior has exceeded expectations.

Amari Williams is averaging 10.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 22.7 minutes per game. Williams is shooting a career-high 56.2 percent from two and is at 62.6 percent from the free throw line. Kentucky has asked to big to take on a playmaking role. That led to Williams leading the SEC in defensive rebound rate (29.4%) and ranking fourth in conference play in assist rate (28.3%). The big man is a unique talent.

Williams has been a separator against Tennessee.

In Kentucky’s two wins over the Vols, you can argue that the the five-man has been the best player on the floor. The Cats are an absurd plus-36 in 45 minutes with Williams on the floor. Things look a lot different against the Vols when Williams is on the bench.

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Amari Williams was Kentucky's +/- MVP in two games against Tennessee.

UK vs. Tennessee in Knoxville: +20 in 24 minutes on floor | -15 in 16 minutes off floor

UK vs. Tennessee in Lexington: +16 in 21 minutes on floor | -5 in 19 minutes off floor pic.twitter.com/Wv4N2uuIA5
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) March 25, 2025

The big man was outstanding in the first meeting as he had to take on a point center role with Lamont Butler out. Williams finished the 78-73 win on Rocky Top with 10 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists in 24 minutes. In the 75-64 home victor for UK on Feb. 11, Williams went for only six points, three rebounds, and two assists but his presence on the floor was felt in 21 minutes despite battling foul trouble throughout the game.

Tennessee’s defense wants to pack the paint and force offenses to make tough perimeter shots. Playing closer to the rim gets harder when you have a five-man that attacks from outside three-point line. Williams’ ability to drive and pass the basketball as a creator clearly created some issues for the Vols. That created plenty of spot-up three-point looks for the Cats.

I still think this is the best pass from a Kentucky player all season. Williams to Almonor for 3 in the corner.

UK could use another big game from Almonor on Friday. He had 13 points in the Tennessee win at home and 12 in the win in Knoxville. Shot 6-10 from deep combined. pic.twitter.com/3AjGNZcf2V
— Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR) March 25, 2025

Amari Williams will play a pivotal role if Kentucky beats Tennessee for a third time. Is Kentucky truly a bad matchup for Tennessee? If they are it is because of Amari Williams. The Kentucky big creates gaps in the Tennessee defense and give the Wildcats some much-needed rebounding. Pope has to have him on the floor — and out of foul trouble — against the Vols.